DEARBORN, Mich., July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Credit Company reported a net loss of $1,427 million in the second quarter of 2008, down $1,489 million from net income of $62 million a year earlier. On a pre-tax basis, Ford Motor Credit reported a loss of $2,380 million, compared with earnings of $112 million in the previous year. Excluding a $2.1 billion impairment charge for operating leases, Ford Motor Credit incurred a pre-tax loss of $294 million in the second quarter of 2008.

The decrease in pre-tax earnings primarily reflected the impairment charge for operating leases, higher depreciation expense for leased vehicles, and higher provision for credit losses. These were offset partially by the non-recurrence of net losses related to market valuation adjustments from derivatives, higher financing margin, a gain related to the sale of approximately half of our ownership interest in our Nordic operations, and lower operating costs.

During the second quarter of 2008, higher fuel prices and the weak economic climate in North America resulted in a pronounced shift in consumer preferences from full-size trucks and traditional sport utility vehicles to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. This shift in consumer preferences combined with a weak economic climate caused a significant reduction in auction values for used full-size trucks and traditional sport utility vehicles. In addition, Ford Motor Credit completed its quarterly North America operating lease review and projected that lease-end residual values would be significantly lower than previously expected for full-size trucks and traditional sport utility vehicles. As a result of these market factors and Ford Motor Credit's portfolio review, Ford Motor Credit determined a pre-tax impairment charge of $2.1 billion was required.

"Dramatic, rapid marketplace changes are driving increased weakness in the vehicle auction markets, in turn affecting the entire industry, including Ford Motor Credit," said Mike Bannister, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit. "We regularly review and adjust lease residual values to align with market conditions. In addition, the core of our business remains strong, because it is built upon lending practices, risk management and collections activities that are consistent and prudent."

On June 30, 2008, Ford Motor Credit's on-balance sheet net receivables totaled $136 billion, compared with $141 billion at year-end 2007. Managed receivables were $140 billion on June 30, 2008, down from $147 billion on December 31, 2007. The lower receivables were more than explained by lower North America receivables, the impact of divestitures, and the impairment charge for operating leases, offset partially by changes in currency exchange rates.